Area of Employment

As a security guard, there are at least six areas of employment open to you.

  1. Private Investigator
  2. By-Law Enforcement Officer (Parking Control)
  3. Loss prevention
  4. Security patrol
  5. Mobile patrol services
  6. Concierge/Static

Private Investigators

  • Private investigators must complete an additional 80 hours of training to become certified. The training requirements for a Private Investigator include:
  • Earning a separate license
  • Possibly working in plain clothes, without a uniform
  • Gaining a detailed understanding of the Evidence Acts

If you are interested in becoming a private investigator, there are specific attributes that you should consider. Before embarking on further qualifications as a private investigator, decide if you:

  • Are very detail oriented and highly organized
  • Demonstrate excellent attention to detail
  • Show finely honed writing and documentation skills
  • Have special knowledge of recording devices

You must have detailed knowledge of the following legislation:

  • The Canadian Evidence Act
  • The Ontario Evidence Act
  • The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act
  • Criminal Code of Canada

By-Law Enforcement Officer (MLEO)

By-Law Enforcement Officers must pass a Municipal Parking Enforcement Officer Program. Their role is supplemental to other security guard duties. Remember, they can only conduct parking enforcement duties on private property.

Loss Prevention

If you work in loss prevention you will generally be working for a retail corporation, employed by a shop or group of shops. Your job will be to assist in shrink reduction of product and to apprehend shop-lifters. You will possibly work in plain clothes and possibly be involved in internal employee investigations. In some cases you may act as a secret shopper to gain information “under cover”.

Security Patrol

Security Patrol are uniformed security services. You will be working for a private company or public property interests. Usually this means walking patrols in or around the property. Most often this means shopping centres, office buildings, malls or corporate facilities.

Mobile Patrol Services

To act as mobile patrol services, you normally must have a full class “G” driver’s license with a clean driving record. You may need to be of a certain age to meet insurance company guidelines. You will probably be driving a marked security patrol vehicle. You will normally be working alone and often with mobile supervisors, so you must be fairly self-reliant. Your job will be to patrol multiple buildings within a specific area and to respond, as needed, to alarms for a client’s facilities.

Concierge/Static

As a Concierge, you usually work in residences (condominiums or apartment complexes). You will have a high level of customer service interaction with tenants and guests. Your job is to respond to emergencies such as fire alarms & elevator stoppages. Normally the role is conducted in uniform or a suit. You must remain standing or sitting for extended periods. A Concierge must be familiar with the residential tenancy act. The job may require a candidate to qualify for the parking enforcement MLEO course.